Settlement of the West 1865-1900...Beneficial for All? A DBQ Exercise

Help build your students primary source analysis skills while also fostering critical thinking and developing writing skills with this engaging DBQ exercise. Exploring the westward settlement following the Civil War, students will utilize the primary sources to respond to the provided prompt of "To what extent did the settlement of the West, following the Civil War up through 1900, produce positive benefits for all in the region?" Primary sources included highlight economic activity in the region (such as cattle ranching and farming), Homestead Act, impact of the railroads, the rise of the Populist Movement, American Indian life, and anti-Asian sentiment. These primary sources provide a great introduction and exploration of multiple perspectives. Sources include varied types of documents such as advertisements, memoirs, speeches, photographs, and political cartoons.

This purchase includes:
Student directions
11 primary sources accompanied by two supporting questions each
DBQ essay rubric
DBQ outline scaffold
Alternative activity for those not wishing to have students write an essay

This product is great to use in its entirety or to use just for the primary source analysis and practice.